GS4 transmission question
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My GS4 is nice, but I've got a beef with morning transmission performance. As I leave home, it seems to stay in low gear and revs the engine higher and higher untill I goose it out of low. Also, shifting is not as smooth at other times. It has done this since new (4K) with 38K now. I've alerted dealer but they have no answer suggesting it is just cold etc.
Any help or ideas or is it just me?
Any help or ideas or is it just me?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
I've noticed that on colder mornings I experience the same thing. Trans seems to take a bit longer to go from 2 to 3 and the shift is not as smooth. Seems to be more pronounced the colder it is. It goes away as soon as it warms up.
I've always written it off to cold trans (valves) and (thicker due to the cold) trans fluid.
I've always written it off to cold trans (valves) and (thicker due to the cold) trans fluid.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: Alabama
Sluggish Tranny
This was also a thread on the old Forum, I believe. I recall LexTech or some other member stating that the tranny was designed to do that until the engine reached a minimal operating temperature that was programmed into the ECU before it would allow normal shifting. It really is a situation that your dealer can't remedy - somewhat like the long starter engagement ( the engine will continue to crank until the ECU gets feedback from all the engine sensors that all operating parameters are OK & then it'll light off ). It can be overridden by extra throttle pressure ( as AT has discovered ). Ever notice that U can't use second gear until the engine warms up? - same thing. It is just more noticeable when the ambient temperature's lower - engine takes longer to warm up. Just one of the GS idiosyncrasies.
....BANNED! :-)
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Dubai, UAE
yes they all do it in Cold mornnings,, I wouldnt worry about it too much just make sure you warm up the car a little before heading out or if you are in a hurry just take it easy on your throttle
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 72
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Wow, Mean Gene! I've owned my GS430 for only a few months now and I noticed the necessity to keep cranking on the starter longer than with any other car I've driven in recent years. It struck me as odd that the car need more time to crank and it took me a while to get used to it. At first, I would twist the key and release it almost immediately and the engine would frequently fail to start.
Well, it's not rocket science and it was apparent that all I needed to do was simply hold the key a second or two longer and the engine started just fine. It's no big deal, of course, but the motor doesn't light off as fast as other cars I've owned recently (several BMWs, Chrysler 300M - good riddance!, and others) and I find it odd. Why is the longer crank time designed into the car, I wonder?
Well, it's not rocket science and it was apparent that all I needed to do was simply hold the key a second or two longer and the engine started just fine. It's no big deal, of course, but the motor doesn't light off as fast as other cars I've owned recently (several BMWs, Chrysler 300M - good riddance!, and others) and I find it odd. Why is the longer crank time designed into the car, I wonder?
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Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,019
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From: International
I know this is not good for the tranny but you should try this some time one morning when its cold out side just start the car and at normal gear without the E-shift slam on the gas when your at around 20mph youll be surprised at how the car jumps it just takes off and it will squeel the tires when shifting from 2nd to 3rd kinda fun 
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: Alabama
Starting Duration
Never - I feel the same way! A $50k car should start right away, not after cranking for 3-5 seconds. But this is normal due to the ECU starting system programming, or so I'm told. Seems the GS has many sensors that need to be sending certain data ( within preset parameters ) to the ECU telling it to allow the ignition system to fire so that the car can start. It's just part of the normal starting procedure & apparently it takes those extra seconds for all the data to be processed. Funny but I have a 1992 S-10 work truck that starts within 1-2 seconds & it's got 160k miles on it!! 
What's next - all the planets need to be in alignment??:eek:
What's next - all the planets need to be in alignment??:eek:
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
It's all those computers and sensors
Originally posted by Mean Gene
Never - I feel the same way! A $50k car should start right away, not after cranking for 3-5 seconds. But this is normal due to the ECU starting system programming, or so I'm told. Seems the GS has many sensors that need to be sending certain data ( within preset parameters ) to the ECU telling it to allow the ignition system to fire so that the car can start. It's just part of the normal starting procedure & apparently it takes those extra seconds for all the data to be processed. Funny but I have a 1992 S-10 work truck that starts within 1-2 seconds & it's got 160k miles on it!! What's next - all the planets need to be alignment??:eek:
Never - I feel the same way! A $50k car should start right away, not after cranking for 3-5 seconds. But this is normal due to the ECU starting system programming, or so I'm told. Seems the GS has many sensors that need to be sending certain data ( within preset parameters ) to the ECU telling it to allow the ignition system to fire so that the car can start. It's just part of the normal starting procedure & apparently it takes those extra seconds for all the data to be processed. Funny but I have a 1992 S-10 work truck that starts within 1-2 seconds & it's got 160k miles on it!!
What's next - all the planets need to be alignment??:eek:
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